Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun benchmark

2 senses of benchmark

Sense 1
benchmark -- (a standard by which something can be measured or judged; "his painting sets the benchmark of quality")
       => standard, criterion, measure, touchstone -- (a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated; "the schools comply with federal standards"; "they set the measure for all subsequent work")

Sense 2
benchmark, bench mark -- (a surveyor's mark on a permanent object of predetermined position and elevation used as a reference point)
       => reference point, point of reference, reference -- (an indicator that orients you generally; "it is used as a reference for comparing the heating and the electrical energy involved")